MSc Radiotherapy and Oncology in Practice

Year of Entry 2025/26
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MSc

Radiotherapy and Oncology in Practice

Distance learning Radiotherapy and oncology

Study radiotherapy and oncology through distance learning from home, with brief on-campus sessions featuring state-of-the-art facilities, complemented by significant practical experience at a designated radiotherapy centre.

Everything you need to know...


Course summary

  • Study with qualified radiographers involved in national research.
  • Explore the causes, development and management of cancer.
  • Learn how to deliver radiotherapy, care and support to people with cancer.
  • Develop your communication, research and health promotion skills.
  • Understand the impact of cancer and how to meet the diverse needs of people through integrated care.

This challenging and supportive course has been developed in partnership with employers and professional bodies. When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration as a Therapeutic Radiographer with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).


How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

You’ll spend a significant time working in a radiotherapy department, while most of your academic study will be completed remotely. We’ll support you through regular live sessions using digital platforms, as well as plenty of contact with tutors, the course leader and academic advisers. 

This means you might wish to be located closer to your practice placement than the university – as most of the time you can study from home or anywhere you’d like! This may also help you manage travel and accommodation costs and your home life.

You’ll also study at our Collegiate Campus for short periods of time to gain support and practical experience. This includes your induction to the course, study methods and mandatory training – plus a range of simulated practice workshops to prepare you for placement practice and to consolidate your placement learning. 

You learn through

  • distance learning using learning packages, live online lectures and seminars
  • face-to-face learning, seminars, and simulated practice workshops in short periods of attendance at university
  • tutor and self-directed study 
  • practice-based learning

While specialising in radiotherapy, you’ll have opportunities to learn with, from and about students from other health and social care courses. This will enable you to develop an in-depth understanding of person-centred care and patient journeys. 

Course leaders and tutors

Sarah Smith
Sarah Smith
Senior Lecturer

Sarah is a Senior Lecturer in Radiotherapy and Oncology and Course Leader for the MSc in Radiotherapy and Oncology.

Applied learning

Applied learning means that when you do start work, you can dive in and make things happen.

Work placements

You'll gain real-world skills through simulated practice workshops and practice placements in a radiotherapy department. These learning experiences are designed to help you apply theory to practice – while developing critical and ethical approaches to help you become life-long, competent professionals. 

You’ll undertake a range of practice learning experiences, helping you to build your skills, confidence, creativity, resilience, integrity and curiosity. These will take place in different practice learning environments, reflecting the range of ways services are currently delivered.

Live projects

You’ll develop key research skills and undertake projects to evaluate and develop health services.

Networking opportunities

You'll be taught by professionals who are active in their field of practice and research, giving you cutting-edge, practice-specific knowledge. In addition to the course's in-house expertise, we invite guest lecturers who are leaders in their field. You’ll also hear from patients who share their experiences of treatment and care.


Future careers

You’ll be an autonomous reflective practitioner who’s fit for employment in a wide range of health, social care, and voluntary and independent sector environments. 

By the end of the course, you’ll have demonstrated the requirements that confer eligibility to apply to register as a professional Therapeutic Radiographer with the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) – qualified to work in radiotherapy departments throughout the UK and overseas.

Previous graduates have gone on to work in specialist areas including

  • radiotherapy treatment, planning and delivery
  • patient information, review and support services
  • research
  • teaching
  • management
  • quality assurance
  • equipment design and sales

Where will I study?

You study this course online from any location


Equipment and facilities

During the course you will work with

  • anatomy training equipment
  • Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Training (VERT) equipment
  • dedicated treatment planning and verification software 
  • specialist radiotherapy apparatus – e.g. immobilisation and patient positioning devices, linear accelerators and pre-treatment imaging, quality assurance and verification equipment

We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want – with support as a distance learning student via the specialist library services, including access to a wide range of journals and research databases. You’re also welcome to use on-site 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.

Entry requirements

All students

An honours degree recognised in the UK at 2.2 or above in a related healthcare subject or science including psychology, sociology, biology, health sciences, sport sciences, engineering and humanities.

Or

A professional qualification at degree level including teaching, nursing, social work or an allied health profession.

And

GCSE's in

*GCSE Science equivalents

**GCSE Math's equivalents

***GCSE English equivalents

  • Science at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
  • Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents**
  • English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents***
    • OCR Science level 2
    • Science units gained on a level 3 BTEC or OCR National Diploma or Extended Diploma qualification
    • Science credits gained on Access to Higher Education Diplomas (at least 12 credits at level 2 or 6 credits gained at level 3)
    • Science equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
    • Level 2 Key Skills/ Application of Number/ Grade D at GSCE Maths/ Level 2 Maths credits from an Access course
    • Maths equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
    • Level 2 Literacy
    • Level 2 Key Skills

IELTS

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 overall and a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English. Please note that the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) require IELTS 7.0 with no element below 6.5 for registration.

Helping your application succeed

Experience

Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds in different settings is essential when applying to a health or social care course. This is so you will have an understanding of the diversity of the population who access health and social care.  It is important to be able to understand and explain how your experiences relate to the activities and qualities which are required for the profession at your interview.

Reference

You must provide a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution.

Interview

If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to an online interview. To confirm your identity on the day please bring a valid form of photo ID with you, preferably a passport or photo driving licence.

View our interview guidance to ensure you understand the interviews process and how you can prepare for this.   

Course enrolment - professional requirements

Before enrolling you must fully declare the following information on the pre-admission declaration form provided during the admissions process:

  • unfiltered criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on unfiltered offences please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website.
  • involvement in disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or education establishments
  • involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
  • enrolment on a health or social work professional course at another University

In addition

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Criminal Record Check

  • you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check prior to or during the enrolment week of your course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
  • you will need to present valid identity documents (PDF) (PDF, 38.1KB) as part of the application process
  • if you have lived outside of the UK for more than six consecutive months in the last five years you must provide an overseas criminal record check. Further information on obtaining an overseas criminal record check.
  • where your DBS Enhanced Disclosure certificate contains any recorded information you must present this to the Professional Issues Team within ten working days of receipt of the certificate.

Occupational Health Screening

You will need to undertake occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course. This will be provided by the University free of charge. As part of this assessment you are expected to provide all relevant, truthful and accurate information to ensure a safe environment for yourself and service users.

Immunisations

You must undertake a programme of immunisations as required by the Department of Health and meet the immunisation and immunity requirements of placement providers. This will be provided by the University free of charge. Please obtain details of your immunisation history from your doctor so you can submit this during your Occupational Health Screening.

Pre-course Day

After completing the above professional checks, if you reside in the UK it is important for you to make every reasonable attempt to attend a Pre-Course Day event to undertake the next stage of the professional requirements for your course. The pre-course day is also a good opportunity to meet fellow applicants on the health & social care courses who will be starting their studies at the same time as you, as well as some current students and teaching staff. We will look forward to welcoming you on the day.

Other professional suitability information

Your full enrolment on your course will be confirmed when the Professional Issues Team have verified that your Enhanced DBS Disclosure (and overseas criminal record check where relevant) indicates that you are suitable to work with vulnerable groups including children and clearance from your health screening has been received. 

If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements, from when you apply to the end of your course, please tell the Professional Issues team immediately by calling 0114 225 5637 or emailing HWB-Professional-Issues@shu.ac.uk.

Disability support

We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions, learning difficulty or disability you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the Health and Care Professions Council standards of proficiency and take part without disadvantage both in University and on placement.

You can contact our disability coordinator on 0114 225 2588 to explore any issues you may have, or you can contact our university disabled student support team on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom).

The Disability Disclosure booklet provides information for students on health and social care courses and will help you understand the importance of disclosing your disability at the earliest possible stage. This is so you can be assessed for the support you may require to succeed on the course.

Open day

Our open days give you an opportunity to chat to our teaching staff and current students. You can explore the campus and view our facilities, as well as asking any questions you may have. To book your place at one of our open days, please follow this link University open days.

Additional information for EU/International students

This course is not open to international students who require a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a Tier 4 (General) student visa, email our Admissions Team to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.


Modules

Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Evaluating Research Methodologies
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Fundamentals Of Oncology & Radiotherapy 
Credits 40
Assessment Practical(100%)
Radiotherapy & Oncology 1
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Ronc Pr Competency In Practice 1
Credits -
Assessment
Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Creating Original Practice
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Evaluating Complexity In Practice
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)
Radiotherapy & Oncology 2
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Ronc Pr Competency In Practice 2
Credits -
Assessment

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £11,250 for the course.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

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Postgraduate student loans

Up to £11,222 available for Home students on most masters courses.

Learn more

Additional course costs

This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

You apply for this course via our online application form.

Apply for January 2025

You can also use the application form above to apply for future years of entry.

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

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Why choose us?

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Teaching

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Funding

Home students can access a non-repayable maintenance grant of at least £5,000 per year, eligibility applies

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Training

We are one of the largest training providers of health and social care in the UK, giving you access to cross-discipline learning

Where next?

Find out more about Sheffield Hallam's postgraduate opportunities and community.

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Come to an open day

You can chat to teaching and admissions staff, view our facilities and learn more about your funding options.

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Information for international students

Information for international students including entry requirements by country and funding.

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